ERIE, Pa. - The Crimson Hawks put together an 8-run third inning of a game two victory as they split a series-opening doubleheader with Mercyhurst Friday afternoon in Erie. 

IUP outscored the Lakers a combined 18-15 on the day, with Mercyhurst taking game one 12-8 while the Hawks rallied for a 10-3 game two victory.

IUP is now 21-16 overall on the year and 11-7 in PSAC West play, remaining one game out of the divisional lead. The Lakers are now 24-11 overall and 12-6 in the division.

Game one
The Lakers got on the scoreboard early and often in the opener, with two players each hitting two home runs through the first five innings. Mercyhurst scored two runs in the first, four in the second, five in the third and one more in the fifth to take a commanding 12-2 lead.

IUP put together a late inning rally, starting with a 2-run homer off the bat of Austin Mueller in the sixth inning. Mueller continued the rally in the seventh, drawing a bases loaded walk before Brady Yard, Austin Homer and Branden Kanick each had RBI singles to help the Hawks score six in the frame. The rally ended though with the bases loaded. 

Markus Cestra finished 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI. Mueller finished with three RBI and two runs scored. 

Game two
Mercyhurst grabbed a 2-1 lead with a 2-run homer off IUP starter Mark Edeburn in the second inning.

But the Hawks responded with their 8-run third, getting four base hits while also taking advantage of seven walks. With one out, Harrison Pontoli opened the inning with a  double to left center. Mueller walked and then Nick Hess drove Pontoli in with a single to tie the game at 2-2. Mueller ended up scoring on a passed ball and Hess came around on a Torrey Roper single to give the Hawks a 4-2 lead. Au'sean Owens drew the fourth walk of the inning to force another run home before Cestra cleared the bases with a triple to right, giving IUP an 8-2 lead. Three batters later Cestra would come home when Hess drew the final walk of the inning and IUP took a 9-2 lead.

Pontoli capped IUP's scoring with a solo home run in the seventh inning. 

Edeburn back out after that extended rest and sat Mercyhurst down with 1-2-3 innings in the third, fourth and fifth. He gave up a two-out single in the sixth and a lead off homer in the seventh, but put an exclamation mark on the win with a 3-pitch strikeout on the final batter. 

Edeburn picked up the complete game win to improve to 5-4 overall. He gave up four hits and three earned runs, striking out seven batters. It was his fifth complete game of the season.

Pontoli went 3-for-3 with a double, home run, RBI and scored twice. Cestra had a triple and three RBI while Hess drew three walks and had two RBI.

Up next
These teams wrap up the series Saturday at IUP's Dougherty Field. First pitch is 1 p.m.

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